While leaders around the world have advised people that they are safer at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, being confined to the home has actually caused domestic violence against women and girls to skyrocket. The numbers are staggering. The personal stories and impact devastating. But businesses are in a unique position to drive cultural change, to support victims and to reverse the trends that can many times lead to the direst of consequences.
That was the discussion that Global Women Fresh, in partnership with Global Rights for Women, helped bring to the table at the June 10 webinar on Domestic Violence: Danger During COVID-19 and Workplace Leadership. The webinar was an opportunity to bring 6 global experts and 300+ attendees from 26 countries together around this important issue.
It illuminated that the effects of what happens at home do not stay at home, and 5 reasons why employers need to get involved in addressing domestic violence emerged in the dialogue:
#1. Domestic violence affects women in the workplace at all levels.
While it’s true that there are more vulnerable populations, all women regardless of their job title, education level, economic status or background are at risk of domestic violence. And if any of these women now work from home or have been laid off, that risk is even higher, with a United Nations Population Fund report estimating a 20% increase in incidences within countries that experience a three month lockdown or longer. But, “What we have to remember is that domestic violence and violence against women and girls is hugely underreported,” says Kalliopi Mingierou, chief of the ending violence against women section at UN-Women in New York. “The magnitude of the problem is much greater.”
#2. Abuse isn’t just physical.
While media has trained us to think of abuse as a black eye that a woman might try to hide or excuse, many times abuse isn’t seen by the naked eye. It can be in the form of emotional abuse, coercion or isolation – especially during the pandemic. “This power and control dynamic goes on behind the scenes. So, the more you understand about these tactics that are used, the better you’ll be able to support your employees who are victims of violence,” says Cheryl Thomas, executive director of Global Rights for Women.
#3. Businesses suffer too.
The cost of domestic abuse to our global economy is $1.5T (CARE International) and in every incident of physical violence, women can miss an average of 5 days of work (CDC). A victim might choose to not go to work because of a physical injury, shame, doctor or legal appointments, or because they are being prevented by their abuser. While absenteeism has an obvious direct effect on your business’s operations, productivity loss because an employee has experienced trauma or is in fear of their lives can also have an impact.
#4. Financial independence is not enough.
As women gain economic power, the abuse or tactics against women can increase. Lorena Muro, founder of Mama Pacha Super Foods, witnessed this first hand in her home country, Peru. As produce processing facilities, which are major employers of women in the area, grew, so did police charges AGAINST women. “That’s not meaning that women are becoming the aggressors,” says Lorena, “but they are definitely becoming victims of another strategy.”
#5. Institutional change will help.
Employers have a unique level of contact with victims that puts them in a powerful position to support victims; and their duty to do so has been recognized by international labor standards. It also makes absolute business sense to invest in the prevention of domestic violence.
What can your business do to help?
Because up to 60% of women who have experienced domestic violence have trouble maintaining full time employment (WUNRUN), employers can do a lot in terms of workplace policies, awareness, job training opportunities, flexibility for safe and sick time, and demonstrating respect for women in the workplace. Our expert panelists shared a wealth of ideas and examples of ways that businesses can support victims so that they can be healthy and productive employees.
Watch our free webinar to learn more and be a part of the change.
For more information or to discuss how we can support your efforts, you can reach out to our founder Julie Escobar at jescobar@globalwomenfresh.com or Global Rights For Women’s executive director Cheryl Thomas at cthomas@grwomen.org.
Additional Resources from UN Women:
Handbook: Addressing violence and harassment against women the world of work
A Global Women’s Safety Framework in Rural Spaces: Informed by experience in the tea sector
